When Valmond Came to Pontiac: The Story of a Lost Napoleon. Volume 1.

"When Valmond Came to Pontiac: The Story of a Lost Napoleon. Volume 1." by Gilbert Parker is a historical fantasy novel set in a French-Canadian village, where the sudden arrival of a charismatic stranger named Valmond sends ripples of excitement and speculation throughout the community. Claiming to be a son of Napoleon, Valmond captivates the villagers with his tales of grandeur, open-handed generosity, and magnetic personality, igniting their imaginations and stirring dreams of a glorious past. As he weaves his way into their lives, striking the fancy of Madame Chalice and attracting the support of old Sergeant Lagroin who connects Valmond to a supposed royal lineage, Valmond stages elaborate displays that further cement his connection to the Napoleonic legend, prompting the tight-knit community of Pontiac to reevaluate their own sense of possibility and their yearning for something beyond their ordinary lives.